J.T. Hopkins

J.T. Hopkins of Morristown, TN, formerly of White Pine, TN, passed away peacefully into eternal rest Friday, October 16, 2020. He was born August 6, 1929 to parents William and Pearl Knowling Hopkins of Talbott. He was saved as a young man on the family farm between two cedar trees. He was a charter member of Sartain Springs Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School teacher, and Youth Choir Leader. He took great pride in serving as church custodian for forty years. He retired from Phillips Corp. in 1994. He was a lifetime wood worker and carver, often gifting family and friends with his creations. He and his wife Helen loved to garden and were known for ministering to neighbors and friends. Together, they sang with their family and wrote the songs “God’s Perfect Love” and “Jesus Did It All.” He was a loving Husband, Dad, and Papaw. He is preceded in death by his brothers Bernard and Marshall Hopkins, sisters Virginia Greene and Bobbie Hopkins, Father and Mother-in-law James and Maude Hudgens. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Helen Hudgens Hopkins, Daughters Carolyn (Rev. Don) Holt, Judy (Rev. Dennis) Alder, Loretta (Alan) Messer, and son, Rev. Philip (Emily) Hopkins. Grandchildren: Charissa Holt Baskette, Nathan (Karen) Holt, Rev. Aaron (Chasa) Alder, Dr. Andrew Alder, Adam Alder, Leigha Messer, and Kaitlyn and Abbey Hopkins. Great grandchildren: John Dean and Carianna Baskette, Jacob and Caleb Holt, and Allie and Kylie Alder. Brothers and sisters Coy, Douglas, and Fred (Margaret) Hopkins, Sarah (Escoe) Smith, and Ethel Hill. Sisters-in-law, Betty Hopkins and Rosemary (Wayne) White, Brothers-in-law Horace Greene and Alton Greene, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday October 19, 2020 at Sartain Springs Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Phil Hopkins, Rev. Don Holt, Rev. Dennis Alder, and Alan Messer officiating. Special music will be by the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Graveside internment service will follow at Sartain Springs Cemetery with Pastor, Rev. Roger Porter officiating. The body will lie in state from 3:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday October 18, 2020 at Sartain Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Special thanks to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice for their loving care. In consideration of the health and safety of all those attending the services, Farrar Funeral Home strongly encourages all CDC guidelines be followed, including the use of face masks.